Plywood/Laminate Tablesaw Blade

[Copes]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to get a dedicated blade for ply/melamine/laminate work, i've seen there's a few super fine 200 tooth blades around as even with the (60 or 80 tooth - i can't remember) one i've got from axi i still seem to get plenty of chip out.

Does anyone have any experience with these / recommend a particular one?

It is vaguely under the "occasional" use category, but I'd like to get crisp results when i do need to cut it ya know. just doesn't want to break the bank doing it.

Thanks
Mark

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

What saw are you using and is it set up so the rip fence is absolutely parallel to the blade and any crosscut table is running perfectly parallel also. A sharp 80 tooth blade in a well set up machine should be fine. A machine that heels and toes will chipout. I would start with machine set up first. Then perhaps a close fitting throat plate (AKA zero tolerance) can help too. I don't think I have ever heard of a 200 tooth carbide blade unless it is about 24 inches in diameter!

Mike.

 

[MikeJhn]

ZCI helps, but if you run the chipboard/melamine/laminate through the saw with a cut of 2mm first then turn it over and cut through, that should sort it.

Mike

 

[custard]

A sharp 80 tooth blade in a well set up machine should be fine. A machine that heels and toes will chipout. I would start with machine set up first.

+1

Also a saw with a dodgy arbour or bearings, or a cheap blade with a warped plate, or a blade that needs sharpening, these become exercises in frustration with laminates. I've known people chase ever more exotic solutions for laminates when the real reason is the saw itself.

 

[user22161]

Even with 80 tooth blade I can get some chipout on one side of laminates so if critical position such as in cupboard door edges, I just cut slightly oversize and then run them across the router table with a stepped fence for a perfect edge.